Public Frenemy No. 1: The Dreaded Ice Bath

As our half-marathon approaches, I have to say that we are currently in my favorite part of a training program: the taper! This is the wonderful gift of less time spent working out and more time spent resting. It allows muscles to recuperate and be at their full potential for race day- without soreness, aches, pains, etc. And speaking of muscle recovery, I have to give a big shoutout to my biggest allies throughout this experience. They have been there for me after every long run. They've had my back (quite literally). They make me better. They will always help me out. They are infinitely beneficial to my running self. To them I owe all the thanks.

But first, the dictionary defines "frenemy" as so:

frenemy

[fren-uh-mee] 

noun 
1.

Informal. a person or group that is friendly toward another because the 

relationship brings benefits, but harbors feelings of resentment or rivalry.

Here we have them: a lacrosse ball, a foam roller, a rolling stick and an ice bath. 

My three best friends, and my No. 1 frenemy. In fact, the ice bath is more like my archfremesis, but more on that in a second. The lacrosse ball is used to rollout my feet. The foam roller is used to rollout everything else. The rolling stick (quickly rising to become my all-time favorite) is what I use to rollout all those places that need a little extra TLC. For example, it is really hard to use a foam roller on your Tibialis Longus (don't be fooled, I googled that one), or your calf muscles, or your lats or traps. Okay, I'll stop here about the rolling stick. It is obviously my favorite. I could go on forever. 

Now on to my least favorite: the ice bath. 

As you can see I had to put up a picture with the temperature (A balmy 45ºF) so you wouldn't just think it was a regular bath. Ain't no thing regular about an ice bath. 

No. Thing. 

In fact, there is nothing quite like dipping your lower half into a very, VERY cold vat of water. Nothing like staring into that icy liquid knowing it'll be the worst 10 minutes of your week, while also being the being the best 10 minutes of your week. What does that look like practically? It looks like you shaking your first in the air (or pounding it on the tub), screaming "WHY?!" while simultaneously sighing with relief knowing that cold water will reduce inflammation and leave you feeling less sore than before. It looks like you gritting your teeth, furrowing your brow, squinting your eyes, catching your breath, crying tears of pain and agony as the cold stings you to your core. It looks like you questioning your sanity as you clearly torture yourself for the longest 10 minutes of your life. The cold will make you want to say bad things and do bad things to anyone who looks at you as if you're ridiculous. First it's your toes. You can almost hear them screaming as they are the first sacrifice. Then it's your feet, then legs, then torso, and if you thought getting into a cold pool on a hot day was bad, think again. You contemplate punching the next person you see. Just punching someone or something- anything! Certainly that will make you feel better.

 And then at some point, you realize it has all gone numb. It's all gone numb and you look at your timer to see you are almost done. 

Now, I know what your'e thinking: "Wow, you really painted a grim picture there." But ask anyone who has been in an ice bath. It's pretty accurate. 

And I know there are articles - really good articles with studies and statistics that say ice baths may not work and could possibly harm your muscles' ability to recuperate themselves. And others that say it's all made up.  

And perhaps it is. Perhaps it's all just a placebo effect and the masses been duped by ice companies into buying ice/ice makers for their baths, but let me tell you, nothings feels better than going for a long 11 mile run, coming home, rolling out, and then hopping into a quick ice bath. And if it's all in my head, then so be it because the next morning I feel ten times better than I would have without an ice bath. 

So here's to hoping there's a giant pool filled with ice awaiting me at the finish line of our half-marathon. Here's to my best frenemy: The Ice Bath. Best frenemies 'til the end. 

Cheers, mate! 

T minus 5 days until race day!

Onward and upward!